What's going on?

It’s
cold, it’s dark and everyone’s in a mood because it’s January. It’s not all bad
though. We bring you good news from our friends in the Netherlands.

Staff
at Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn are being trained to recognise signs of
loneliness or self-neglect amongst their older customers and, with the help of
specialist volunteers, offer them the support they might need.

Shop
staff are uniquely placed to spot decline in the well-being of their customers,
especially amongst the elderly, who may not have anyone around to check up on
them.

The
initiative started when an Albert Heijn worker noticed something unusual with
one of her regulars. They’d lost weight, were buying less fresh food, and one
day had to be taken home in an ambulance. Instead of doing nothing, she
contacted the charity Royal Zorg who helped set up the campaign.

It
can be all too easy to overlook the needs of those you don’t know, but this
initiative just goes to show that armed only with a good idea, and a
willingness to make things happen, it’s possible to do a bit of good for your fellow
humans.

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DOB

Sorry if this seems a bit nosy. By law, we have to ask for your date of birth to check that you're over 12 years old. If you're 12 or under, please ask a parent or guardian to do this bit for you. Thanks very much.